Jay Huff

Last updated

Jay Huff
Jay Huff.jpg
Huff with Virginia in 2020
No. 32Indiana Pacers
Position Center
League NBA
Personal information
Born (1997-08-25) August 25, 1997 (age 28)
Listed height7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school Voyager Academy
(Durham, North Carolina)
College Virginia (2016–2021)
NBA draft 2021: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2022 Los Angeles Lakers
2021–2022 South Bay Lakers
20222023 South Bay Lakers
2023 Washington Wizards
2023 Capital City Go-Go
2023–2024 Denver Nuggets
2023–2024 Grand Rapids Gold
2024–2025 Memphis Grizzlies
2024–2025 Memphis Hustle
2025–present Indiana Pacers
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

James Matthew Huff (born August 25, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 7-foot-1 center known for his shot-blocking and perimeter shooting, Huff played four seasons of college basketball for the Virginia Cavaliers, where he was part of the program's 2019 NCAA championship run and earned All-ACC and ACC All-Defensive Team honors as a senior. Undrafted in the 2021, Huff developed through multiple stints in the NBA G League and was named the NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets before earning rotation minutes with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2024–25 season. In July 2025, Huff was acquired by the Pacers, where he established himself as a productive rim protector and stretch five off the bench.

Contents

High school career

Huff was a four-year varsity basketball player for Voyager Academy in Durham, North Carolina, where he was coached by his father, Mike. [1] On January 21, 2016, as a senior, he became his school's all-time leading scorer. [2] Huff led his team to the Class 1A state title, earning most valuable player honors after recording a triple-double of 14 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks in the final. [3] He finished the season averaging 16.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. [4]

A four-star recruit, Huff committed to play college basketball for Virginia. [5] Growing up minutes from the University of North Carolina, Huff was familiar with the region’s major basketball programs, but his thin frame and long-term development profile made him a better fit for Tony Bennett’s system at Virginia. The Cavaliers recruited him early, offering a clear development path in their defense-oriented scheme, and Huff committed to Virginia in May 2015. [5]


College career

Huff redshirted his first year at Virginia to improve his strength and conditioning, gaining about 30 pounds (14 kg) before the start of the 2017–18 season. [4] He appeared in 12 games as a redshirt freshman, averaging 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game on 68 percent shooting from the field. [6]

Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Huff underwent surgery for a torn labrum that sidelined him for three to four months. [7] He returned to contribute to Virginia’s national championship run, averaging 4.4 points in 9.3 minutes per game on 60.4 percent shooting. [8] He delivered several high-impact performances, including 17 points and six blocks in a win over Georgia Tech on January 18, 2020 [9] and a near–triple-double of 15 points, 10 blocks and nine rebounds in a victory over Duke, making him the second player in program history with at least 10 blocks in a game. [10] Huff was a member of Virginia’s 2019 championship core alongside future NBA players De'Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome, with both later acknowledging his impact on that title team. [11]

As a junior in 2019–20, Huff set career highs with 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while anchoring one of the nation’s best defenses. [8] His development continued into his senior season, when offseason training—reportedly involving more than 18,000 practice shots with longtime family friend and coach Bob MacKinnon—helped him become one of college basketball’s most efficient two-way players. [12] In 2020–21, Huff averaged 13.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 58.5 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from three, earning Second-team All-ACC and ACC All-Defensive Team honors.

Following the 2019–20 season, Huff entered the 2020 NBA Draft process before withdrawing and returning for his senior year. [13] After the 2020–21 season, he declared for the 2021 NBA Draft.

Professional career

Los Angeles / South Bay Lakers (2021–2023)

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Huff joined the Washington Wizards for the 2021 NBA Summer League. [14] On September 21, 2021, he signed with the Wizards, [15] but was waived on October 13. [16]

On October 18, 2021, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. [17] On January 12, 2022, he was waived. [18]

On January 16, 2022, Huff was re-acquired by the South Bay Lakers. [19]

Huff joined the Los Angeles Lakers' 2022 NBA Summer League roster. [20] In his Summer League debut for the Lakers, Huff scored nine points and seven rebounds in a 100–66 win against the Miami Heat. [21]

On July 27, 2022, Huff signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. [22] He was waived on October 15, 2022. [23] He subsequently re-joined South Bay.

Washington Wizards / Capital City Go-Go (2023)

On March 2, 2023, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards. [24] On April 4, he was named NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 4.0 blocks per game. [25]

On July 3, 2023, Huff joined the Houston Rockets Summer League team. [26]

Denver Nuggets / Grand Rapids Gold (2023–2024)

On July 18, 2023, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets. [27]

Memphis Grizzlies (2024–2025)

Huff (left) with Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells at Memphis Air National Guard Base in 2024 Grizzlies visit the 164th AW! (240910-F-UM667-7699).jpg
Huff (left) with Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells at Memphis Air National Guard Base in 2024

On July 24, 2024, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. [28] On October 26, he scored a career high eighteen points in a home victory against the Orlando Magic and two days later, he signed a multi-year contract with the Grizzlies. [29] Huff made 64 appearances (two starts) for Memphis during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists.

Indiana Pacers (2025–present)

On July 6, 2025, Huff was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a 2029 second-round pick and a 2031 second-round pick swap. [30] On November 19th, 2025, Huff scored a career high of 20 points against the Charlotte Hornets.

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

NBA

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2021–22 L.A. Lakers 405.1.000.0001.0.3.3.3.0
2022–23 Washington 7013.6.600.500.9383.01.4.4.67.3
2023–24 Denver 2002.5.600.3331.000.6.1.1.21.2
2024–25 Memphis 64211.7.515.405.7862.0.6.3.96.9
Career9529.6.520.404.8241.7.5.2.75.4

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2025 Memphis 209.0.500.0001.0001.5.5.01.54.0
Career209.0.500.0001.0001.5.5.01.54.0

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2016–17 Virginia Redshirt.svg Redshirt
2017–18 Virginia 1208.8.680.286.6251.9.3.11.23.4
2018–19 Virginia 3409.3.604.452.6672.1.2.2.74.4
2019–20 Virginia 301825.0.571.358.5406.2.8.42.08.5
2020–21 Virginia 252527.0.585.387.8377.11.0.52.613.0
Career1014318.3.588.386.6794.5.6.31.67.6

Personal life

Both of Huff's parents are former college basketball players. His father, Mike, played for Pacific Lutheran University, and his mother, Kathy, played for West Virginia. [4] Mike was the director of the Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory at Duke University. [31]

Huff is a member of the Chi Alpha Christian fellowship at the University of Virginia and aspires to become a minister when he retires from basketball. [31]

References

  1. Warnock, W. E. (March 10, 2016). "Voyager Academy's father-son Huff team gets one last game together in championship". The News & Observer . Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  2. Best, Bonitta (January 27, 2016). "Huff voyages into the record books". The News & Observer . Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  3. Warnock, W. E. (March 12, 2016). "Jay Huff's triple-double leads Voyager Academy to 1A basketball title over Winston-Salem Prep". The News & Observer . Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 Ratcliffe, Jerry (November 10, 2017). "UVa's Jay Huff is hungry for more". The Daily Progress . Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  5. 1 2 Polacek, Scott (May 21, 2015). "Jay Huff to Virginia: Cavaliers Land 4-Star PF Prospect". Bleacher Report . Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  6. Darney, Caroline (January 29, 2019). "Jay Huff is developing in front of our eyes, and it's magical". Streaking the Lawn. SB Nation. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  7. Blum, Sam (April 4, 2018). "Jay Huff out 3-4 months with torn labrum". The Daily Progress . Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Jay Huff". University of Virginia Athletics. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  9. "Jay Huff". University of Virginia Athletics. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  10. Gatto, Tom (February 29, 2020). "Virginia's Jay Huff enters Ralph Sampson territory by standing tall vs. Duke". Sporting News . Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  11. Easterling, Chris (February 25, 2025). "Cavaliers' Ty Jerome and De'Andre Hunter reunited as former Virginia champions". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  12. Hamilton, Brian (February 9, 2021). "At Virginia, Jay Huff at long last has his shot". The Athletic. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  13. Conlin, Bennett (August 1, 2020). "Jay Huff withdraws from NBA Draft, plans to return for senior season at Virginia". The Daily Progress. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  14. "Wizards announce 2021 Summer League roster". NBA.com. August 4, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  15. Washington Wizards [@WashWizards] (September 21, 2021). "OFFICIAL: We've signed the following players to Exhibit 10 contracts: □ Jaime Echenique □ Jordan Goodwin □ Jay Huff □ Jordan Schakel" (Tweet). Retrieved September 24, 2021 via Twitter.
  16. Adams, Luke (October 13, 2021). "Wizards Cut Jay Huff, Jordan Schakel". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  17. "Lakers Sign Jay Huff to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  18. "Lakers Sign Sekou Doumbouya to Two-Way Contract". NBA. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  19. "South Bay Lakers on Twitter: "OFFICIAL: The #SBLakers have acquired Jay Huff as a returning rights player. In a related move, the team has waived Willie Jackson"". Twitter. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  20. "Los Angeles Lakers 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster | NBA.com". www.nba.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  21. "Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat Jul 2, 2022 Box Scores | NBA.com". www.nba.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  22. "Lakers Sign Jay Huff". NBA.com. July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  23. @Lakers (October 15, 2022). "The Lakers have requested waivers on guards Shaquille Harrison and Nate Pierre-Louis and center Jay Huff" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  24. "Wizards Sign Jay Huff to Two-Way Contract". NBA. March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  25. "Jay Huff Named 2022-23 KIA NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year". NBA.com. April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  26. "Rockets Summer League roster 2023: Details of players, coaches, schedule and more".
  27. "NUGGETS SIGN GILLESPIE, HUFF AND KEY TO TWO-WAY CONTRACTS". NBA.com. July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  28. "Grizzlies sign Jay Huff to two-way contract". NBA.com. July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  29. "Grizzlies sign Jay Huff to Multi-Year Contract". NBA.com. October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  30. "Indiana Pacers Acquire Jay Huff". NBA.com. July 6, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  31. 1 2 Needelman, Josh (February 7, 2019). "Higher calling: Jay Huff's faith has been tested — and validated — at Virginia". The Daily Progress . Retrieved April 21, 2020.